Community groups behind a downtown outreach hub are calling on candidates in Calgary’s upcoming civic election to commit to funding more daytime “third spaces” for people experiencing poverty and homelessness. It’s been one year since Good Neighbour, AAWEAR, The Alex, Alpha House and Siksika Nation came together to create the Central Outreach Hub. The coalition, which provides daily meals at the Central United Church, issued a public call this week for mayoral and ward candidates to make daytime shelter funding a top election priority. Brad Pert, a volunteer and co-founder of the hub, says anywhere from 250 to 300 people walk through the church’s doors in need of support on Tuesdays alone. He says the church was previously serving one lunch a week to about 80 people. Lunch is now served five days every week. “To go from one meal on Sunday to now five, it’s wild. It’s a big expansion, and the most amazing part is it’s almost all donations—all in-kind donations, whether it be food, clothing, space—everything is supported by the community,” said Pert. “But it’s getting to the point now (that) it’s grown so large, we need something to keep the lights on.” While the city has invested in emergency shelter beds and overnight spaces, the groups say there is still a critical gap in services during daytime hours when hundreds of people—many experiencing homelessness or poverty—are left without safe indoor options. The Central Outreach Hub says it could operate for a full year on an estimated $200,000, providing essential supports that address downtown safety, visible poverty and the daily struggles of people experiencing homelessness. Safe, low-barrier space The hub offers more than meals. Visitors can access medical advice, foot care from a nurse and housing referrals, as well as start applications for Alberta ID. The Good Neighbour store allows clients to select clothing and personal items at no cost. And the hub provides a safe, warm space for people. Tamara Llewellyn of AAWEAR emphasizes the hub’s peer-led, low-barrier approach. “We don’t treat them like clients. We treat them as equals. And they’re not all unhoused. There are people who just immigrated here, low-income families, kids trying to get a backpack for school,” she said. Glen Lavallee, who is a peer support worker for Siksika Outreach, says the hub focuses on connection and safety. “They can go to the Drop-In Centre and wait in line and hopefully get in, where they’ll be another number or behavioural problem. Or they can be here, connect and feel safe,” he said. Lavallee says support specifically for Calgary’s Indigenous population is also top of mind. He estimates 30 to 40 per cent of people visiting the Central Outreach Hub are Indigenous. “So what does that tell people? There’s a significant amount of people who are Indigenous, who are unhoused and they’re getting younger, and we are not supporting them in a good way,” he said. “We aren’t following truth and reconciliation—the calls to action that we keep claiming—and that needs to change.” Lauren Blackmore, a volunteer with Good Neighbour, also highlights the dignity-centred approach. “If you treat people with respect, they treat themselves and others with respect. They come in broke, tired, hungry, pissed off, but it’s easy to just believe in people, and they’ll do what they need to do,” she said. Voices from the hub For many, the hub is a lifeline. Brenda Wallace, a 66-year-old client who was once unhoused, now volunteers to support others. “The last addiction I had was 11 years ago, smoking cigarettes. And now I’m here helping the homeless. I know how it felt to be alone, and I wanted to give back,” she said. Zachary “Percy” Kiyawasew, a client who moved to Calgary for drug treatment and has been sober for 11 months, says the hub helped him focus on recovery. “I just need someplace, some clothing or someone to talk to, to relate to people. It helps me focus on recovery and avoid people who do drugs or alcohol,” he said. Percy says stable housing is crucial: “I had a hard time with it, and it was about four or five months to see my application for housing go through. I was fortunate to eventually get my own place, but I’d like to see the process speed up and change.” A case for funding Despite its growth and impact, the hub faces funding challenges. Volunteers say modest investment could extend hours, support more people and improve safety downtown. Alice Lam, co-founder of Good Neighbour, says several candidates have toured the Central Outreach Hub, and she hopes the next council takes note. “They’re floored at the type of service that volunteers are being able to provide right now, and what we’re trying to tell them is that this model should exist all throughout Calgary,” said Lam. “Every community needs a hub like this where people can gather to build community but also access resources. So, we hope that this new council, with the new budget, that they can help fund some of these community-based resources.” As Calgary residents prepare to vote, advocates are urging candidates to prioritize practical, community-based solutions to homelessness and poverty. They say modest investments in daytime hubs can provide meals, clothing and safe spaces for hundreds of people each week, helping residents build stability while improving downtown safety. Llewellyn says treating people with respect and providing consistent support is key to helping vulnerable Calgarians rebuild their lives. “With the right resources, people can start to improve their lives. That’s what this hub shows—respect, support and safety make a huge difference,” she said. Pert says additional funding will also allow community-run outreach programs to stay open longer and keep people safe. “This is about downtown safety and visible poverty,” he said. “You can’t ticket your way out of these issues. People experiencing homelessness need authentic connection with trusted peers to begin improving their lives.”
